Trailblazing Prem ref Uriah Rennie dies aged 65

Uriah Rennie, the archetypal Black referee successful the Premier League, has died aged 65, the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association said connected Sunday.

Jamaican-born Rennie, who grew up successful Sheffield, made past successful 1997 erstwhile helium refereed a Premier League lucifer betwixt Derby County and Wimbledon.

He went connected to officiate implicit 300 matches -- including 175 games successful England's apical flight.

"We are profoundly saddened to larn of the passing of our erstwhile Chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the relation said connected societal media.

"Our thoughts are with Uriah's household and friends astatine this hard time."

Rennie retired successful 2008 and it would beryllium 15 years earlier different Black authoritative took complaint of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a lucifer betwixt Sheffield United and Luton Town successful 2023.

In April, Rennie told the BBC helium was learning to locomotion again aft being near paralysed from the waist down by a uncommon condition.

"Incredibly bittersweet to perceive of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody bully ref," erstwhile England and Liverpool subordinate Stan Collymore said connected societal media.

"Rest successful peace, Ref."